Improvement in spring-clasps for supporting garments



v E. 'W. PHI LBROOK. SPRIN JGCLASPS FOR SUPPORTING GARMENT S. No.'17 7,88Z.

Patented. May 23,1876.

the sheet-metal article,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIoE.

EMELINE W. PHILBROOK, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT l N SPRlNG-CLASPS FOR SUPPORTING GARMENTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 177,882,

dated May 23, 18 76 application filed April 1, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, EMELINE W. PHIL- BROOK, of Boston, Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Garment-Supporters, of which the following is a specification: I

This invention relates to devices which, while they are adapted to support garments of various kinds, are particularly used as stocking-supporters; and it has special reference to that class of supporters'formed of a loop, which, at the bottom, is narrowed, so as to form a narrow slit, in which the material inserted in the broad portion of the loop is drawn and held. The nature of my invention and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into efl'ect will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which-'- c Figure l is a perspective view of a'device embodying my invention. Fig. '2 is a like view of a stocking-supporting strap provided at'its lower end with two of the metallic supporters.

The device in which my invention is con. fined I term a f twin spring-clasp. I make use of two loops, A B, which, at their upper ends, are connected together by a hinge or otherwise, and at their lower ends stand apart,

say, about a quarter of an inch, more or less. One or both loops aremade of spring metal,

so that their lower ends may be brought to gether. -When the pressure, however, is removed, the ends spring apart and reassume their normal relations. Each loop is made broad at the top, as at a, and at the bottom is shaped toforin the narrow and taperingslit b. I form each loop of flattened wire,.which bounds with its rounded edges the slit. They may, however, be stamped out of sheet metal. This, however, unless care is taken in making along the edges of the or rugged formation, which tends to out and.

.sion or strain upon The twin is open to some objecf-tion, for the reason. that there may be left slit a thin metallic fin injure the fabric drawn into the slit. should be avoided.

In the present instance the loop A is hinged to the other by having its upper ends bent around the upper rim of B; but, as before intimated, the two may be united in any suitable way, or, indeed, may be formed of a single piece of metal, whether wire or sheet metal, if desired. The spreading apart of the ends can be effected in various waysfor instance, by bending outwardly one or the other This at a point in the neighborhood of their point I of connection, as shown in the drawing.

I prefer to corrugate one or both of the loops along the upper and wider part of the slit, so that an enlarged fold of the stocking can readily enter and be held in this portion of the slit; but corrugations are not indispenbe used unless desired.

sable, and need not 7 .used in substantially the This supporter is same way as the ordinary supporter of analogous shape. The advantages it possesses are, that each halfofthe claspthat is, each. looptakes a separate and independent gripe upon the stocking, thus dividing the tension, so as the more effectually to hold the same, and also by reason of excessive ten to prevent tearing one spot, and yet the parts are so arranged that the more strain there is upon the two loops the nearer will they be drawn together and the firmer will be their. hold. A Having now described my invention, and

the manner in which the same is ormay be carried into effect, what Iclaim, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, i's X spring-clasp having its ends normally apart, and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 30th day of March, A. D1876.

EMELINE W. PHILBROOK. Witnesses: y

S. M. ALLEN,

I Geo. T. ANGELL. 

